The National tribune., 1887-10-13

rapture. He had farther offended her by en-
unconscious air of proprietOrship and mastery.
She had resented this by exasperating little
hirtatiOns with other men. The rupture had
come on account Of her accompanying Ray King
on an excursion on which Bruce Brsinard had
promised himself the pleasure of escOrting her.
She claimed that she had accepted Ray Kings
invitation because she understood that her
betrothed was TO be out Of the city at the time
on business. Bruce Brainard had received her
excuse with jealous lovers skeptieism, and
hence the outburst
The rest of the company had not failed to
notice the quarrel, but they were too weilbred
to give any indication Of having done so as
Estelle came up with her cheeks ahame. and be-
gan q lively chatter which was too obviously
forced TO deceive anyone.
Ray King was pushing young attorney, who
believed that success in life was secured by a
bright lookout for opportunities. lie thought
he now saw an opportunity he had waited for
nearly two years.
Miss Dubois" he said, you promised me
that sometime you would show me the wonder
full view of the moon rising over the lake, which
is said to be so fine from your eastern veTanda
Now would seem to be favorable time, for the
moon is just rising"
"Ill show it to you with pleasure" said
Estelle, taking his arm. "Will the rest Of you
Gomez"
"We'H come along presently" answered the
others. eve want to hear the conclusion Of
Miss Ambergs adventure with the balky
horse"
Nothing could be more deferential and ten
der than Ray Kings manner as he led E5telle
to the jasmin-eovered veranda from which
the view was to be had. Tact had always been
a strong card with HIM, and now he was play
ing il for big stakes. Respect, almost % wOr-
ship, and deep, unobtrusive sympathy were in
every look and gesture.
This was grateful balm to Estelle's hurt pride
In an instant flashed over her mind how this
| man, whom her little world spoke Of as brilliant
and rising. and who was scarcely inferior TO
Bruce Brainard in manly appearance and So
| cial position, had been for years patient and
devoted. where Brainard had been exscting ;,
and had seemed inexpressibly grateful for the
| smallest favOrs, where Brainard had appeared
| she said 10 herself in anger-LO demand every
thing as a right. Why should she not be much
happier with him who regarded her as a queen,
than with him who looked upon her as a sub
| ject? Besides, revenge is dear to women " /;
/ how much qualification there would be in show
! ing Bruce Brainard that he had gone too far, and
that she could hurt him as badly as he had
/ hurt her. At this dangerous moment Ray
Kings carefully -modulated tones fell on her
| ear.
| "How exquisitely lovely it is. Fairyland
\ could not be more beautiful, nor have a love-
lier queen than the one who stands by my
| side"
| "It is loyely-it seems loyelier to- night than
| / ever knew it," Her voice was much softer than
thad been-a fact that did not escape Ray Kings
attention. He lightly grasped the hand that
| lay near his on the veTanda rail. She did not
withdraw it. and he raised it to his lips and
| kissed il tenderly. She made q gesture as if
to take it away, but he chung to it, and then
| burst out with passionate avowal of his love.
The tense strain of the last hour was telling
on Estelle's nerves, and almost before she was
aware of it, she lay her head upon his shoulder.
He turned her face toward his and kissed her
lips.
"You will be my wifeP" he asked.
EYES" she whispered family. But let us &c
back. We have been here too long"
| All the company withdrew shortly after
their return to the parlOrs.
| When Estelle found herself alone in her bed
room the reaction came. It came slowly. She
did not find herself as wholly justified as she
thought she wanted to be in dismssing Bruce
Brainard. In spite of her attempts to fan the
fame of her anger against him, the treacherOuS
thoughts would obtrudo themselves that he
really had cause of complaint against her, and
that she had not been as true 20 him as he had
beer to her. Then in the sleepless hours
beyond midnight she found the attempt tC
convince herself that Ray King was the equal
of her discarded lover, and that she could love
him even more fervently. becoming more and
more of a hopeless failure. She at last broke
down and sobbed to her pillow that there was
but one man in the world whom she loved oil
could love, and that she would rather die thar
not be his wife. The next morning she came
down very h0llOw-eyed, pale and reticent
The forenoon brought a magnificent b0uque
from Ray King, with graceful little note in
forming her that he would give himself th'
pleasure of calling on her IN the evening. The
flowers and their odor seemed hateful to her
she flung them into the closet, and shut the
door.
In the afternoon came a letter from Bruce
Brainard and with il a little package containing
| all the trinkets she had ever given him. Ray
King had lost time in diffusing the intelli
gence Of the engagement, and he had takeI
particular pains that the news should reach hi
rival in an authentic shape, and at the earlies
moment.
Brainard's letter reproached her for he
| faithlessness, accused her of making occasion
for quarrel that she might discard him snt
90 to the arms of one she loved better. extend
ed cynical congratulations that they had boil
| found out their mistake before il was too late
| and concluded with the announcement that n
had already accepted Lentenantcy ~ q com
pany which would shortly start for the front
and the excitement would probably 30 of tn
, greatest service in helping him forget her.
Her pride famed up again. LII he could &C
, cept his fate in this hum0r she would not shoy
herself less strong. She went 60 the closet ant
rescued the despised flowers, which she place.
i | in honor in the parior, aud when Ray Kin
called in the evening he found her charmingl
dressed, and with faint smile of wei
come on her pale face. she permitte
/ only the slightest caress. listened to hi
rhapsody with but few responses for shor
. time and then excused herself on the plea q
! a violent headache. The next day the tamil
: ! physician had to be called in, and he positive
: forbade her leaving her chamber for scverg
g DAYS Every day brought bouquet and o
: aiTectionate note from Ray King. but no wor
came from Bruce Brainard. Her mother. win
q suspected the cause OF the troeble. gave her, i
; as guarded way rs she administered her med
n cine. bits of news about the preparations th
!; ! company was making for leaving. and poo
!. Esteile passed the time, when she was Above
to be alone, writing notes, now bitter and Sal
a castle now entreating and apologetic. to nc
d lost lover, which she Immediately tore up, an
!. secreted the fragments, u change OF mood COZ
= tinuaIy overtaking her before she could sen
z one. How she did Tong TO see Brainard bef0r
; be went away from her, probably forever!
q "The company leaves this evening" sal
y | her mother one afternoon. They will pas
down this street ON the way to the depot, Al